GAME NOTES: GROUP B — Macau Black Bears (1-2) vs. Busan KCC Egis (0-0)

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KCC makes EASL debut Wednesday against struggling Black Bears

November 6, 2024 — Studio City Event Center, Macau SAR

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Storylines:

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Deonte Burton’s Long-Anticipated Debut

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Deonte Burton (center) celebrates with teammates after a recent KBL game. Through six KBL games this season, Burton leads KCC in points, assists, rebounds, steals and blocks (Photo Courtesy of the KBL).

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Deonte Burton began his professional career in South Korea, playing for Korean Basketball League powerhouse Wonju DB Promy during the 2017-18 season. From there, the 6-foot-4 forward found success playing in the NBA for the Oklahoma City Thunder and Sacramento Kings.

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This past offseason, Burton returned to the KBL, signing with the reigning league champions, the Busan KCC Egis. In the team’s 2024-25 season-opener, he scored a game-high 40 points in a 77-72 win over rivals, the Suwon KT Sonicboom.

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On Wednesday, Burton makes his East Asia Super League debut. His resume to date, however, already ensures he’s already a marquee player. An excellent downhill slasher with a continuously evolving perimeter game, Burton will be essential for KCC in its first-ever EASL game against the Macau Black Bears.

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Macau’s Defensive Struggles

Three games into Macau’s 2024-25 EASL campaign, its 96.7 points per game allowed is the highest of any team. The Black Bears hold a 1-2 record and currently sit in third place in Group B.

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Macau is one of few — if not the only team — to run a 2-3 zone defensively. Given the size of starting 7-foot-6 center Samuel Deguara, Black Bears’ head coach Garrett Kelly has chosen this scheme to take his big man out of isolation situations and to better use Deguara’s intimidating inside presence.

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However, Macau’s emphasis on crowding the paint and allowing outside looks means it often has to outscore opponents to win. Even in the Black Bears’ lone victory this season, they gave up 97 points to reigning P. LEAGUE+ champions, the New Taipei Kings.

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If the home team wants to improve to .500 again, it needs to tighten up defensively. Although the Black Bears have a handful of weapons that can score, odds are they’ll struggle to beat a talented offensive side like KCC in a shootout.

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Injury-Stricken Busan

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Busan KCC's Kim Dong Hyun exits on a wheelchair after hurting his right ankle against KBL opponents, the Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters on Sunday. Kim's injury adds to an ever-growing laundry list of sidelined Egis players (Photo Courtesy of the KBL).

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Busan KCC entered the 2024-25 KBL season with one of the league’s best rosters. However, injuries to key players have significantly lessened options in the Egis’ rotation.

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Star wings Choi Jun Yong and Song Kyo Chang are sidelined for KCC’s EASL debut. Choi is currently nursing an ankle injury while Song — the 2021 KBL MVP — is yet to play this year after undergoing surgery on his left hand. On Sunday, fourth-year guard Kim Dong Hyun suffered a non-contact, right ankle sprain and is unlikely to feature against Macau.

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Additionally, highly touted import Tyler Davis, has since left the team after dealing with weight issues since preseason training camp. Davis’ replacement is veteran KBL journeyman, Leon Williams.

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Yes, it’s true that KCC still holds one of EASL’s premier scorers in Burton, and backups for Choi and Song have also been accounted for. But facing a Macau Black Bears team, that is at full capacity and gelling stronger with each passing game day, the Egis will have to be at their best amid a hostile away environment on Wednesday.

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Macau Black Bears’ (Macau SAR) Players to Watch

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#23 Samuel Deguara — Center, 7-foot-6

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Samuel Deguara (center) vyes for a rebound against Ryukyu's Alex Kirk. Deguara scored a season-high 16 points in a narrow 96-93 loss to the Golden Kings on Oct. 30.

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2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 12.3 points, 0.3 assists, 10 rebounds
Joined the Macau Black Bears in 2024
2018 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries MVP
2018 FIBA European Championship for Small Countries Gold Medalist
2018 TBSL Champion with Mono Vampire
2017 TBL Best Center Award with PEA Basketball (Thailand)
2017 Malaysia Pro League Champion with Perak Farmcochem
2017 Malta Basketball League Champion with Bupa Luxol
2009 FIBA Europe U-18 Championship Division C MVP
2009 FIBA Europe U-18 Championship Division C Champion with Malta
Deguara is from Pietá, Malta

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#2 Damian Chong Qui — Guard, 5-foot-8

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Damian Chong Qui (left) looks to attack the basket in Macau's Oct. 30 contest against Ryukyu. In all three of the Black Bears' EASL games this season, Chong Qui has scored 20-plus points.

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2024-25 EASL Season Averages: 22.7 points, 6.7 assists, 4.0 rebounds
Joined the Macau Black Bears in 2024
2020-21 All-NEC First Team
2020-21 All-NEC Tournament Team
2020-21 NEC Assists Leader (5.3 apg)
2020-21 NABC All-District First Team
2019-20 NEC Most Improved Player
2019-20 All-NEC Third Team
Chong Qui attended college at Mount Saint Mary’s (2018-2021) and Purdue University Fort Wayne (2021-2023)
Chong Qui is from Baltimore, Maryland, USA

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#31 William Artino — Forward, 6-foot-9

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